These were washed up in great numbers (>100) in some places.
I have just returned from a fishing trip in Ireland where we fished the surf for Bass at St Finans/Finians Bay Kerry. I saw hundreds of sail jellyfish on the surf - amazing creatures - travelling almost too fast to catch in the hand. Even when turned over by a wave they would soon right themselves and carry on. Some even appeared to turn themselves around to steer away from the shore, perhaps by dropping some of the frill of tentacles beneath to cause resistance while the wind pushed the opposite end around.
The strong wind and current coupled with weed in the tide made fishing very difficult but these colourful little jellies made my day. AL.
Alan Lewthwaite
Sunday, October 15th, 2006 at 13:11:58
Interesting shot. I just returned for a few days at Pacifica, CA, USA, where indeed hundreds were on the beach. According to one local, it happens about twice a year. I had seen them once before. Went on the computer to see if I could identify, and found this - exactly what I was looking for. Thank you. My shots are all on the beach.
Richard McCall
Sunday, May 6th, 2007 at 09:23:40
I saw these recently in Pacifica, CA too, thousands of them washed ashore one morning in May 2007. That afternoon they looked like dried leaves. But the curious thing was that there were all these dead ladybugs near them in the morning. I wondered if the ladybugs were attracted to the velella, and then got stung and died. I have no idea, but that was my guess. I wasn't sure why so many velella had washed ashore. it was a pretty amazing sight.
Jennifer
Thursday, May 17th, 2007 at 21:43:34
Me and my father saw them on the west coast of vancouver island, Canada 20miles off shore of nootka island, 5miles from Banjo reef. There where hundreds of them and at firt we thought that it was flower petals floating. It was a windy day about 25-35mile an hour winds and then floated like minnie sail boats. Ive have seen many things on the west coast but nothing ever like this. This was about August 20 2007
Tanis
Thursday, December 27th, 2007 at 19:20:01
We saw these little creatures recently in Bandon, Oregon on the beach. They had washed up after the storms. My kids loved looking at them on the sand, but I bet they are more beautiful swimming live.
Michelle
Sunday, January 6th, 2008 at 15:58:02
